As the 3rd edition of the Consumer Value Awards gains momentum, organizers of the esteemed platform dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating value-driven brands across diverse sectors are calling on consumers to actively participate by casting their votes. The initiative aims to reward outstanding service delivery, promote ethical practices, and prioritize consumer welfare.
The theme for this edition, “Empowering Consumers,” underscores the initiative’s commitment to safeguarding consumer interests through advocacy and raising awareness about consumer rights. Organizers emphasize the importance of creating awareness, fostering dialogue on consumer rights, and encouraging consumers to exercise their rights through voting.
Akonte Ekine, the founder of BrandXchange and Convener of Consumers Value Awards, explained that the platform seeks to elevate consumer awareness by allowing consumers to voice their opinions, validate brands through votes, and provide feedback that aids brands in understanding their market reputation.
“We are trying our best to create that needed awareness which is really missing in our national conversation. What the platform is out to do is to continue to consistently refer to the need for us to know our right through series of programmes within the frame of the concept of the rights of the consumers. Like we are calling out brands to take badge of honour, it is the consumers that will validate the badge based on votes which starts with even the nomination of the brands. In doing this, consumers are outrightly saying things about brands which also is good feedback to the brands in terms of acceptance and they can easily gauge their reputation in the market place”.
Speaking further, he stressed “Safety is a major right of the consumer and if we don’t keep the gate by ourselves as consumers by naming brands that are good enough for consumption through the nomination or voting we will be doing injustice to ourselves in the society. You are only as good as the product you consume”.
In the past two editions, over 50 exemplary brands have received the Badge of Honor, signifying excellence in their respective industries. The Consumers Value Awards aims to empower consumers by giving them a platform to recognize brands that consistently exceed expectations. The theme for this year’s edition is “Empowering Consumers.”
The initiative underscores its commitment to consumer rights by recognising outstanding individuals, such as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who received the title of Consumer Rights Advocate Governor of the Year 2023 during the previous edition.
Governor Sanwo-Olu was acknowledged for his exceptional efforts in promoting and protecting consumer rights within Lagos State. The Consumers Value Awards serve as a national campaign to ensure that consumers are duly recognized and respected in the marketplace.
Akonte Ekine shared insights into the inspiration behind this year’s theme, citing experiences at the 2023 Consumer International Congress in Nairobi as transformative. The realisation that consumers need avenues for expression and opportunities to contribute to product development fuelled the commitment to empowering consumers through the Consumers Value Awards.
Consumers are encouraged to exercise their consumer rights by nominating brands that have consistently delivered on promises. The initiative signifies a concerted effort to recognize and honor the consumer’s pivotal role in the marketplace.
Voting for the awards is open from February 1 to March 10, 2024, through the official website www.consumersvalueawards.com
